DRINK-DRIVING before Christmas is on the rise, according to new police figures.
The PSNI said yesterday it had arrested 137 drivers and motorcyclists on suspicion of drink-driving between December 1 and December 15 - five more than during the same period last year.
Officers carried out checkpoints and breathalysed drivers across the north as part of an annual anti drink-driving operation.
Chief Inspector Diane Pennington said it was disappointing that despite police warnings some drivers "completely disregard the safety of themselves and others by continuing this shameful and incredibly dangerous practice".
"We should not be detecting anyone drink driving," she said.
"Our message is very simple; Never ever drink and drive. Just one drink can impair your decision making. Just one drink can cause a collision. Just one drink could kill."
She said no driver should take "life-threatening, unacceptable, and simply stupid risks".
"The consequence of taking just one drink can be catastrophic," she said.
